Folding Truss System With Integrated Entertainment Technology Equipment and Method Thereof

ABSTRACT

The described system provides a folding and self-contained truss based entertainment technology support system designed for rapid deployment. Embodiments disclose a system incorporating folding truss technology in conjunction with lighting, dimming, power and data distribution systems encompassing a complete and integrated mobile and rapid deployment lighting and lighting support system. Further embodiments describe truss systems used for the rapid deployment, installation and removal of entertainment systems including but not restricted to lighting, sound, video and scenic equipment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/018,714, filed Jan. 3, 2008, the entirety ofwhich is herein incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to entertainmenttechnology systems and in particular, to truss systems necessary toinstall and support entertainment systems including but not restrictedto lighting, sound, video and scenic equipment in entertainmentenvironments such as arenas, convention centers, hotel ballrooms, andtheatres.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many of the entertainment truss support systems currently used inproduction applications are of a cumbersome and labor intensive nature,requiring the use of hand tools and skilled labor to assemble usingconventional fasteners such as nuts and bolts or pins. Commonconfigurations are the pinned box truss as illustrated in FIG. 1 and thebolt together box truss as illustrated in FIG. 2. In each case the trussis manufactured in short sectional lengths which are assembled on siteto create a truss of the required length. The assembly method in FIG. 1is accomplished by engaging a male spigot on the end of a first sectionof truss with female sockets on a second section of truss. A bolt isthen passed through each of the engaged spigots and sockets and securedby a nut. These bolts securely connect the sections of truss into asingle structural member. The assembly method utilized in FIG. 2 is afurther commonly utilized method, incorporating 4 to 8 bolts, nuts andwashers per truss joint. To assemble two sections the truss end platesare lined up, bolts are inserted in the aligned gusset plate holes andthe nuts with washers are then applied and tightened. While this methodhas proven safe when executed properly, it inherently negates the strongpoint of the truss tubing itself by relegating the truss joints torelying on the strength of the bolts and gusset plates as opposed tousing the tubing strength as in the method shown in FIG. 1. The use ofmultiple bolts to connect truss sections is thus inefficient, less thanideal structurally, and time consuming to assemble. Further prior artssystems may use interleaving fingers, splines or other connection meansas known in the art instead of the spigot and socket connection systemshown herein; however all such systems require the connection of aplurality of separate truss sections to produce the required finaltruss. The systems described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,117 to Lange andillustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,392,187 to Bornhorst are typical of theart.

In prior art entertainment truss support systems, multiple sections oftube truss of varying dimensions and in lengths which commonly rangefrom 1 ft to 10 ft as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, are hand carried tothe floor below the point where they are intended to be suspended. Then,as described above, they are sited end to end and hand bolted or pinnedtogether to form the desired continuous length. This procedure requiresaccess to available floor space immediately underneath the suspensionpoints equal to or greater than the final assembled truss length andwidth. Once assembled, the finished truss is then suspended fromchain-hoists or other lifting mechanisms well known in the art andraised to a working height convenient for the operators of approximately4 to 5 ft. When secured at this operating height, entertainmenttechnology equipment such as lighting, sound, video or scenery may beindividually hung and installed in or from the truss. After installationof the entertainment technology equipment, power and data cablesnecessary for the operation of the entertainment technology equipmentcan be run on or through the truss, connected to the entertainmenttechnology equipment, secured to the truss and finally run off the endsof the truss to their respective destinations for control and power. Asa final step the hoists are then operated to raise the truss assemblywith all the entertainment technology equipment and cabling attached toits desired operating height.

This assembly process is extremely labor intensive and resourceconsuming. The process requires skilled technicians at all stagesincluding connecting and securing the trusses, rigging the entertainmenttechnology equipment, and installing and securing the power and datacables. A fault in any of these areas such as an incorrectly tightenedfastener or badly secured cable could create a potential safety hazard.Further, because of the need to use the entire space beneath the finaltruss hang position, which can mean utilizing the entire stage area, thetechnicians are often under severe time constraints and pressure tovacate that space in order to make it available to other crafts, such asscenic construction, sound, video and other technical components of anentertainment event. Continuous expert and knowledgeable supervision ofthe entire process is necessary to maintain a safe working environment.

Further, if the floor space beneath the final rigging position isinaccessible for some reason, such as being over a seating area orpre-existing scenery or staging, then rigging prior art truss can bedifficult if not impossible to achieve. In such cases the truss may needto be assembled elsewhere on site and is then manhandled into positionin a difficult and potentially dangerous manner.

Attempts have been made to improve these systems by transporting thetruss sections with their entertainment technology equipmentpre-installed such that they can drop down or otherwise fold into theiroperating positions as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. Such systems may bereferred to as ‘pre-rig truss’ or ‘drop-truss’ and an example of such asystem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,336 to Richardson et al.Notwithstanding the pre-rigged improvements, these trussing systems arestill assembled on site from individual, separate sections of truss andtherefore require access to clear floor space immediately underneath thesuspension points equal to or greater than the final assembled trusslength. Assembly is done through the means discussed and skilled labor.

FIG. 4 illustrates a ‘drop truss’ or ‘swing wing’ prior art assemblywhich incorporates folding sides to the truss sections. Such a systemmay be partially pre-installed with entertainment technology equipmentand associated cabling, however the cable systems are again specific toeach individual section of truss and need to be physically joined toadjacent sections during installation. The prior art systems solveneither the problem of floor space requirement nor do they provideimprovements to the means of connection of the separate truss sectionsand associated cabling systems.

Therefore, there exists a need in the art for an improved method andsystem of installation of truss, entertainment technology equipment, andtheir power and control in entertainment technology applications thatcan be completed in a more timely and safe manner and within a reducedfloor space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which likereference numerals indicate like features and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art entertainment spiggoted truss system;

FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art entertainment nuts and bolt truss system;

FIG. 3 illustrates a prior art entertainment truss system which mayincorporate pre-rigged lighting fixtures;

FIG. 4 illustrates a prior art swing wing entertainment truss system;

FIG. 5 illustrates an overview of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in its storage format;

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the invention while being deployed;

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the invention while being deployed;

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the invention while being deployed;

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the invention while being deployed;

FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of the invention while being deployed;

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of the invention while being deployed;

FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of the invention as deployed;

FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in its storage formatprior to being deployed;

FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of the invention while being deployed;

FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment of the invention while being deployed;

FIG. 17 illustrates an embodiment of the invention while being deployed;

FIG. 18 illustrates an embodiment of the invention while being deployed;

FIG. 19 illustrates an embodiment of the invention while being deployed;

FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment of the invention as deployed;

FIG. 21 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 22 illustrates yet a further embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in theFIGUREs, like numerals being used to refer to like and correspondingparts of the various drawings.

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to entertainmenttechnology systems and, in particular, to truss systems necessary toinstall and support entertainment systems including but not restrictedto lighting, sound, video and scenic equipment in entertainmentenvironments such as arenas, convention centers, hotel ballrooms, andtheatres.

The disclosed invention provides a structure and method to facilitatethe rapid deployment and removal of an entertainment technology trusssystem designed to support entertainment technology equipment such asluminaires, dimmers, power distribution systems, loudspeakers,microphones, projectors, scenery or other entertainment technologyequipment as well known in the art.

In one exemplary embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIG. 5,the entertainment technology equipment may be a plurality of luminaires110, dimming systems 130, 132, 134, 136, 138 and power distribution 114along with all cabling to interconnect these devices. FIG. 5 illustratesan entire truss system 100 in a partially unfolded state so that theindividual components are easier to distinguish. Five sections of truss120, 122, 124, 126, 128 are herein illustrated; however the invention isnot so limited and further embodiments of the invention may use anynumber of connected truss sections. All the entertainment technologyequipment 110, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 114 may be pre-installed intotruss sections 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 along with all necessary cablingto interconnect the equipment. Each of the truss sections 120, 122, 124,126, 128 may be of a short length so as to be convenient to store andmove around a venue. In one embodiment the truss sections 120, 122, 124,126, 128 are each 8 ft in length, however the invention is not solimited and the truss sections can be of any length without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. Each truss section is permanentlyconnected to the adjacent truss section through hinges 150, 152, 154,156 such that each truss section may rotate through an angle from lyingparallel to the adjacent truss section to aligning axially with theadjacent truss section. To facilitate this action hinges 150, 152, 154,156, 158 need to allow approximately 180° of rotation at each joint andmust be designed so that the hinge does not interfere with suchrotation. Further hinges 150, 152, 154, 156, 158 are mounted onalternate faces on each adjacent truss section such that the trusssections will fold in a ‘Z’ pattern. For example on truss section 124first hinge 152 connecting to truss section 122 is on the bottom cornerof truss 124 while second hinge 154 connecting to truss section 126 ison the top corner of truss 124.

The use of hinges to connect the truss sections provides a permanentconnection between the truss sections and further allows a dedicatedpath for cabling to be installed to connect the items of entertainmenttechnology equipment with both electrical power and control data. Thiscabling may be permanently installed within the truss system and providelinks and connections between all sections of truss. As the cabling runsbetween truss sections it is routed adjacent to the hinges such that itdoes not interfere with the operation of said hinges and so that nostrain or load is placed on the cabling. In the illustrated embodimentsuch cabling may connect together the power distribution unit 114,dimming systems 130, 132, 134, 136, 138 and the plurality of luminaires110 such that external connections to system 100 may be limited to apower supply cable and a data control cable.

Truss system 100 may be fitted with wheels or casters 104 such that itis easily moved around a venue or on and off vehicles for transport.Casters 104 may be fixed or removable and may be elevated or recessed.Each truss section may be fitted with a stop or bumper 140, 142, 144,146, 148 which provides a secure and structurally sound resting pointfor the adjacent truss section to rest on when the system is folded.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the truss system 100 in its folded,undeployed, state so that it may be stored and transported in the mostcompact configuration. The height and width of the folded system may bechosen so as to allow the system to pass through standard doorways andto be transported in standard vehicles. For example it may beconstructed so as to be less than 8 ft in height so that it would easilybe transported within a standard shipping container and pass through atypical loading dock door. The height and width of each truss sectionalso may be selected so as to contain the required entertainmenttechnology equipment within the structure of the truss section(s).

The truss system may be deployed in a number of manners depending on thefloor space and venue height available. Two methods will be described;however other installation techniques are possible and the techniques ofinstallation are not a limitation of the invention. We first consider aninstallation technique for a venue where we have a limited floor spaceavailable, but sufficient height. To deploy the truss system in thesecircumstances the folded system 100 is positioned under a hoistsuspension point and the first truss section 128 is connected to a hoistby suspension line 116 as illustrated in FIG. 6. The choice ofsuspension point and hoist is outside of the scope of this invention andsuch suspension points and hoists may be provided from chain hoists,counterweight systems, powered rigging hoists, manual winches or anyother rigging suspension hoist as well known in the art. Suspension line116 may then be raised such that first truss section 128 is lifted androtates around hinge 156 which connects it to second truss section 126so as to raise first truss section 128 to a vertical position as shownin FIG. 7. Suspension line 116 may then be lowered again such that firsttruss section 128 continues to rotate about hinge 156 and is lowereduntil it is axially aligned with second truss section 126 as illustratedin FIG. 8. First truss section 128 and second truss section 126 may nowbe connected together at point 166 by use of a pin through the spigot,bolt, clamp or other method well known in the art such that first trusssection 126 and second truss section 128 are connected and behave as asingle longer truss section and hinge 156 is constrained from rotation.

Suspension line 116 may now be raised again and will lift first trusssection 128 and second truss section 126 as a single combined unit tothe vertical position illustrated in FIG. 9. As Suspension line 116continues to lift it will start to raise third truss section 124 whichwill rotate around hinge 152 until it also is vertical as shown in FIG.10. Second truss section 126 and third truss section 124 may now beconnected together at point 164 by use of a pin through the spigot,bolt, clamp or other method well known in the art such that first trusssection 126, second truss section 128 and third truss section 124 areconnected and behave as a single longer truss section and hinge 154 isconstrained from rotation.

Similarly suspension line 116 may now be further raised such that fourthtruss section 122 is also raised vertically and is secured at point 162so that four sections are connected as shown in FIG. 11. Finally,suspension line 116 may be further raised such that fifth truss section120 is also raised vertically and secured at point 160 so that all fivetruss sections are connected as shown in FIG. 12 and all hinges 150,152, 154, 156 are constrained from further rotation. At this point asecond suspension line 118 may be connected to the truss system and theentire system raised and rotated as a single unit until it is horizontalin its final deployed orientation as illustrated in FIG. 13. Althoughtwo suspension points 116, 118 are here shown on the first and fifthtruss sections the invention is not so limited and any number,positioning and layout of suspension points may be used in furtherembodiments of the invention. The installation technique shown in FIGS.6 to 13 provides installation in a minimum of floor space in a veryefficient and simple manner. At all times the truss system 100 remains asingle connected structure so that at no point are any truss sectionsseparated from each other. The technicians have only to install theconnections 160, 162, 164, 166 that prevent truss rotation.

Although the methodology for five truss sections is disclosed in thisembodiment the technique may be extended in further embodiments and anynumber of hinged truss sections may similarly be deployed and attachedto one another, thus extending the overall truss length.

In a further embodiment hinges 150, 152, 154, 156 may be provided with alocking mechanism through a pin, bolt, clamp or other device such thatfurther security is provided to prevent rotation and movement at thehinge points.

We now consider a second installation technique for a venue where wehave sufficient floor space available to accommodate the entire lengthof the truss system but a low height. To deploy the truss system inthese circumstances the folded system 100 is positioned under a hoistsuspension point and the first truss section 128 is connected to a hoistby suspension line 116 as illustrated in FIG. 14. The choice ofsuspension point and hoist is outside of the scope of this invention andsuch suspension points and hoists may be provided from chain hoists,counterweight systems, powered rigging hoists, manual winches or anyother rigging suspension hoist as well known in the art. Suspension line116 may then be raised such that first truss section 128 is lifted androtates around hinge 156 which connects it to second truss section 126so as to raise first truss section 128 to a vertical position as shownin FIG. 15. Suspension line 116 may then be lowered again such thatfirst truss section 128 continues to rotate about hinge 156 and islowered until it is axially aligned with second truss section 126 asillustrated in FIG. 16. The unfolding truss stack, being on casters,rolls and stays directly under the lift point while it unfolds. Firsttruss section 128 and second truss section 126 may now be connectedtogether at point 166 by use of a pin, bolt, clamp or other method wellknown in the art such that first truss section 126 and second trusssection 128 are connected and behave as a single longer truss sectionand hinge 156 is constrained from rotation.

A second suspension line 117 may now be connected to second trusssection 126 and first suspension line 116 and second suspension line 117raised together such that first truss section 128 and second trusssection 126 are raised and third truss section 124 will be rotated to avertical position around hinge 152 as shown in FIG. 17. Suspension lines116 and 117 may now be lowered together while simultaneously moving theremaining truss sections 120 and 122 on casters 104 such that thirdtruss section 124 continues to rotate and lower until it is axiallyaligned with both second truss section 126 and fourth truss section 122as illustrated in FIG. 18. Second truss section 126 and third trusssection 124 may now be connected together at point 164 and third trusssection 124 and fourth truss section 122 may be connected together atpoint 162. At this point the first, second, third and fourth trusssections are connected together and may be further raised as a singleunit by suspension lines 116 and 117 as illustrated in FIG. 19 until thefifth truss section 120 is raised into a vertical position by rotatingaround hinge 150.

A third suspension line 118 may now be connected to fifth truss section120 which may subsequently be raised until fifth truss section 120 isaxially aligned with fourth truss section 122 and can be connectedtogether at point 160 to form the final deployed system as illustratedin FIG. 20. All five truss sections are securely connected and allhinges 150, 152, 154, 156 are constrained from further rotation.

Although three suspension points 116, 117, 118 are here shown on thefirst, second and fifth truss sections the invention is not so limitedand any number, positioning and layout of suspension points may be usedin further embodiments of the invention. The installation techniqueshown in FIGS. 14 to 20 provides installation in a minimum of ceilingheight space in a very efficient and simple manner. At all times thetruss system 100 remains a single connected structure so that at nopoint are any truss sections separated from each other. The technicianshave only to install the connections 160, 162, 164, 166 that preventtruss rotation.

Although the methodology for five truss sections is disclosed in thisembodiment the technique may be extended in further embodiments and anynumber of hinged truss sections may similarly be deployed and attachedto one another, thus extending the overall truss length.

In a yet further embodiment hinges 150, 152, 154, 156 may be providedwith a locking mechanism through a pin, bolt, clamp or other device suchthat further security is provided to prevent rotation and movement atthe hinge points when the truss system is deployed. Such lockingmechanism may take the applied load and relieve the hinge of the loadedstress.

In all embodiments described herein the entertainment technology itemsinstalled in the truss system such as a lighting system comprisingluminaires, dimming system and power distribution may subsequently beconnected to existing or temporary distribution systems in the venue soas to connect to main data and power distribution. This may, in someembodiments, be accomplished through a single connection for power and asingle connection for data providing an extremely simple and rapidinstallation of the entire system.

FIG. 21 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention200 showing the truss sections unfolding. FIG. 22 illustrates views of ayet further embodiment of the system 300 with entertainment technologydevices installed within the truss sections.

The embodiments disclosed provide a means for entertainment technologyrigging that is both rapid to deploy and remove, and provide a safeintegrated system at all times. The truss may also be installed with aminimum of labor and installation time while causing a minimum ofinconvenience to other users of the space.

While the disclosure has been described with respect to a limited numberof embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of thisdisclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments may be devised whichdo not depart from the scope of the disclosure as disclosed herein.While the disclosure has been described in detail, it should beunderstood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can bemade hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of thedisclosure.

1. An entertainment truss system, comprising: three or more trusssections, pre-joined with alternately mounted hinge joints; where thetruss system unfolds and/or folds as it deploys or returns to cartageposition.
 2. An entertainment truss system of claim 1 where the truss ispre-installed with entertainment technology equipment and associatedpower distribution and data cabling.
 3. An entertainment truss system ofclaim 2 where the entertainment technology equipment comprisesluminaires.
 4. An entertainment truss system of claim 1 where at leastone of the truss sections is fitted with casters.
 5. An entertainmenttruss system of claim 1 where an unlimited number of further foldingtruss sections may be added to the system.
 6. An entertainment trusssystem of claim 1 where the truss system is at all times structurallyintegral.
 7. An entertainment truss system of claim 1 where the trusssections are manufactured of aluminum or steel tubing which may be ofsquare or round cross section.
 8. An entertainment truss system of claim1 where; the hinge joints are capable of rotating at least 180° so thatthe truss sections can fold back for stacking; the hinge joints arecapable of supporting the full load of the truss system including theinstalled entertainment technology equipment.
 9. An entertainment trusssystem of claim 8 where; the hinge joints may be secured in theunfolded, deployed position by a locking mechanism such that saidlocking mechanism may relieve the hinge joint of the loaded stress. 10.An entertainment truss system of claim 8 where; the hinge joints arecapable of supporting the full load of the truss system including theinstalled entertainment technology equipment during deployment.